Communication and training system for team sports

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a communication system for soccer coaches and their staff that enables them to provide training from a distance and in noisy environments to soccer players anywhere on the training field without interruption. Each player wears an elastic bellyband around the waist. The bellyband has a center pocket that houses a radio receiver that is connected to a custom ear mold.

1. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Currently, the use of soccer training devices, such as apparatus for facilitating the teaching and practice of soccer related skills exist. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,576 issued Aug. 22, 1995 to Hauter describes a soccer-training belt for use with a cord suspended soccer ball useful for individual practice. U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,253 issued Sep. 17, 1996 to Hegemann, et al. describes an officiating communication device for confirming an official's call in a field sport. U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,751 issued Feb. 12, 2002 to Elliot describes method and apparatus for carrying a portable electronic device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,969 issued Mar. 12, 2002 to Sullivan describes an instructional method and system for teaching young children to play team sports. U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,886 issued Feb. 18, 2003 to Youngs, et al. describes a method and system for simultaneously sharing wireless communications among multiple wireless handsets.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

2. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

“Not Applicable”

3. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a communication and training system that enables soccer coaches and their staff to communicate with their players from a distance and in a noisy environment. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward training soccer teams utilizing a communication system that is secured in an elastic bellyband worn around the waist and connected to a custom earmold worn in the ear.

It has long been known to use a radio which is small enough to hold in one's hand, with this radio not only being capable of receiving but also being capable of transmitting. Generally such radios are permitted to work only within a given distance. A typical distance would be within a two to five mile radius. A common term in the past for such radios has been walkie-tallcie. Walkie-talkies have been commonly used in conjunction with certain sporting events. For example, within a football game the coach of a football team wears a headset so that he can communicate by radio to the quarterback. This communication is for the purpose of selecting plays or making changes in the defensive or offensive strategies of the football team.

Soccer is an increasingly more popular sport throughout the world and is the fastest growing youth sport in the United States. Children are learning how to play soccer at a much earlier age. Coaching plays an instrumental part in helping children develop into good soccer players.

Coaches find it difficult to communicate with the players while on the soccer field. Soccer fields are extremely large, and at any given time, players can be up to 60-80 yards away from the coaching staff, which makes it a challenge for the coaches to give guidance and direction to the players. In view of the above, coaching staffs must be extremely loud when attempting to give instructions to the players because the noise level in soccer environments can sometimes reach 90 db. Also, players find it uncomfortable to be given corrective instructions in a group setting. The present invention anticipates the need for coaches to communicate in one on one, group, and team settings. Moreover, the present invention provides significant benefits to coaching staffs by offering a means of communicating with their players from a great distance and in an environment where the noise level is elevated.

To more fully appreciate the lack of communication between coaching staffs and soccer players and therefore the need for the present invention, a typical visit to a soccer scrimmage is considered. The combination of background sounds, to include, field chatter among the players, cheering from the spectators on the sidelines and coaching staffs shouting instructions, provides for a chaotic environment in which to receive instructional training. In order for players to receive the instructions from the coaches, most often their attention is taken away from the training session on the field and directed to the coach on the sideline. Therefore, a need exists for a means of communicating with the players directly without experiencing the interference of outside distractions. Those distractions impede the communication process often making the instructions indiscernible between coach and player.

The combination of great distances that interfere with the instructions given from coach to player, and the excessive noise level on the playing field suggest a need for a communication system that provides an avenue for coaching staffs to communicate with players. Accordingly, the main object of this invention is a simple and effective means of communicating quietly with the players on the field at a sporting event without the players being distracted from learning the game of soccer.

4. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a communication system for soccer coaches and their staff that enables them to provide training from a distance and in noisy environments to players and feel comfortable that the information is being delivered without interruption.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a communication system that is lightweight, portable, easy to assemble and comfortable to wear during training.

A further object of this invention is to provide a communication system that may be used by coaching staffs to communicate one on one with players.

A further object of the invention is to provide a communication system that allows training to occur in a group setting but with individual instruction.

It is another object of the invention to provide a communication system that increases the audio range with which coaches can communicate with the players.

An even further object of this invention is to provide a single communication system that may be utilized on the training field in real game situations such as scrimmages.

Still yet another object of this invention is to provide a communication system that maintains the interest of young soccer players.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a communication system that may be used by both younger and older athletes that reduces the learning curve in training for soccer.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objectives are realized by providing a lightweight communication system consisting of an elastic bellyband worn around the waist with an adjustable Velcro closure. The Bellyband also has a horizontal pocket, which is lined with foam padding for added comfort, and safety that houses a two-way radio or receiver, which is secured in the pocket with an additional elastic band and a Velcro closure. The Bellyband utilizing the Velcro fasteners attaches in the front of the player and the pocket housing the two-way radio/receiver is positioned in the rear of the player and worn in the small of the back. Attached to the two-way radio/receiver is a 36-inch wire that plugs into a custom earmold. The earmold is secured within the user's ear by the antihelix and tragus engaging portions of the wall region. An earmold device is disclosed for wearing in a user's ear, and is adapted to receive a communications device. The player is then able to receive instruction, guidance and support from the coaching staff while training or in scrimmages.

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 comprise sequential parts of a single diagrammatic representation in overview of the present communication system and method for training soccer teams. These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

FIG. 1—Depicts the inside of the entire belly band.

FIG. 2—Shows top view of present invention pocket with padding inside.

FIG. 3—Depicts back view of current invention with view of 4 embodiments of present invention.

FIG. 4—Shows back view of present invention with view of two-way radio/receiver, and adaptor housed in pocket with flap open.

FIG. 5—Depicts back of current invention with pocket flap closed.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The elastic Bellyband 1 of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 is adapted to allow for two-way communication between the coaching staff and players. This Bellyband, which is designed to hold a two-way radio or receiver, that operates on a similar basis as a modem-day walkie-talkie, operating on its own power source. It can transmit and receive audio signals by means of a microphone transmitter-and-receiver combination, antenna 14, and custom ear mold 15 as shown in FIG. 3. Similar to the walkie-talkie, it can operate on multiple frequencies. The two-way radio 9 or receiver, custom ear mold 15 and electronic components are easily accessible for repair or replacement.

The Bellyband 1 comprises a three-inch elastic knit material with a horizontal pocket 2 for housing the two-way radio or receiver. The elastic Bellyband 1 fastens using Velcro hooks 5 that attach to the Velcro loops 4 on the opposite end of the Bellyband as shown in FIG. 1. The pocket 2 that houses the radio/receiver also has the appropriate padding or cushioning material 8 as shown in FIG. 2 for safety and comfort of the player wearing the Bellyband.

A two-way radio or receiver unit 9 as shown in FIG. 3 provides the two-way communication capability of the Bellyband. Which is inserted in the pocket of the elastic Bellyband 1 that is worn in the small of the back. This pocket 2 opening is located at the top edge of the Bellyband as shown in FIG. 2. The pocket also has a four inch piece of elastic 3 that has Velcro hooks 17 attached to one end for further securing of the radio or receiver into the pocket 2 opening by covering the opening with the elastic and hooking to Velcro loops 16 attached in the middle of the Bellyband as shown in FIG. 4.

For receiving audio instructions from a remote transmitter, the Bellyband 1 includes one custom ear mold 15 as shown in FIG. 3. This is to insure the adequacy of reception under extremely noisy conditions on a soccer field or other well-known sporting fields of play. The ear bud wiring 11, from the two-way radio or receiver that attaches to the custom ear mold 15 is worn under the player's training uniform to limit the exposure of the ear bud wiring 11.

An antenna 14 as shown in FIG. 3 which is built into the two-way radio or receiver 9 to permit the transmission and reception of RF energy from and to the transceiver is fully covered within the pocket 2 of the Bellyband which is worn in a horizontal position in the small of the back as shown in FIG. 5

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objectives are realized by providing a lightweight communication system consisting of an elastic Bellyband 1 worn around the waist with an adjustable Velcro closure 4, 5 as shown in FIG. 1. The Bellyband 1 also has a horizontal pocket 2, which is lined with foam padding 8 for added comfort, and safety that houses a two-way radio or receiver, which is secured in the pocket with an additional elastic band 3 and a Velcro closure 17 as shown in FIG. 2.

The Bellyband 1 utilizing the Velcro fasteners 4, 5 as shown in FIG. 2 attaches in the front of the player and the pocket 2 housing the two-way radio/receiver is positioned in the rear of the player and worn in the small of the back. Attached to the two-way radio/receiver is a 48-inch wire 11 that plugs into a custom ear mold 15 as shown in FIG. 3. The ear mold 15 is secured within the user's ear by the antihelixes and tragus engaging portions of the wall region. An ear mold device is disclosed for wearing in a user's ear, and is adapted to receive a communications device 12. The player is then able to receive instruction, guidance and support from the coaching staff while training or in scrimmages.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the invention

The present invention relates to a soccer communication system that enables soccer coaches and staff to communicate with the players from a distance and in noisy environments.

I am aware of no soccer communication systems being utilized to foster real time communication while players are on the field. Failure to deliver appropriate guidance at precisely the correct time in training situations can result in confused, poorly trained athletes, and in fact often reverses previous training accomplishments. Consequently, the reliability of “delivering” the intended instructions or commands to the athlete is quite critical to the overall effectiveness of the associated training techniques.

Individual—each player is coached on a one on one basis. This allows for individualized training between coach and player. Players respond well to this approach especially when problem solving is involved based on ones skill level. The privacy of the one-way communication from the coach allows the athlete to concentrate on improving their individual game without the feeling of embarrassment if the coach were pointing out mistakes in the presence of the entire team.

When using this training method the individual skill training sessions will allow the player to increase the number of touches on the ball because there is less interference from the coach which requires the player to acknowledge the command or instruction and allowing the player to develop a style that is comfortable and effective for them.

Group—this allows the coach to work with select groups i.e. the defenders, midfield or forwards. Group training allows the coaches to focus on communicating with players in the immediate vicinity both on and off the ball. Group training encourages the players to start thinking as a team and demands that players fully support and engage their teammates that are within their group.

Team—Team training invites the groups to participate and play as one large group. Tactical strategies start to develop and the team realizes that when a group plays as a team, great things can happen both offensively and defensively. As a team the players begin to grow and learn how to make counter runs quite naturally.

This training system works best when the coaching staff is familiar with each individual players strength and weaknesses. The coaching staff must create a fun environment that fosters independent players that function well in a group and eventually a team. Coaches must remember that the training method works on the premise that positive reinforcement (praise and “well done”) outweighs negative communication (you should have done) every time!

Coaches must first develop a track record for each player as to how the player responds in various game situations on the field. Once the history of the player is documented, a training strategy can then be developed to correct or enhance the player's skills or their approach to the game. The past performance of the player allows for the coaching staff to predict what a player will due in any given situation. This is when the real training begins!

The training environment that is created by the coach is based on the needs of individual as well as the team. It is the full responsibility of the coaching staff to recreate the training environment that exposes the particular weakness of the individual or team (the goal is to teach the players how to win in these situations). By predicting how a player will respond in a given situation allows the coach to begin the teaching process prior to the flawed action, which is critical. The coach is able to provide the correct guidance to the player by imprinting, which increases the chances for positive results. Once imprinting is completed and positive results are 

1. What I claim as my invention is a strap for wrapping around the waist said strap having on the exterior surface of one end thereof VELCRO fastening means and on the other end thereof, mating VELCRO fastening means such that the respective VELCRO fastening means can be attached to each other so as to constrict said strap about a person's waist, said second end of said elastic means being attached to said strap. Furtermore the strap houses a two-way radio which is attached to an earpiece to allow communication when the device is powered on. 